Art, Science, Technology G - I
Numbers are indexed as words (3 = three, 8 = eight)
Googles: Glasses or goggles that allow the wearer to see in infrared, ultraviolet, and positrons, as well as to communicate with the High Plane Database and to serve as a vocophone. (Shuttle 54, Where R U?)
Grapette: A grape soft drink that Pierre Bordeaux has come to like. Originally manufactured in Camden, Arkansas, on Earth. (The Duck and Doughnut)
Grapette Float: Basically, it is vanilla ice cream and Grapette but other forms of ice cream can be used and whipped cream and fruit toppings may be added. It is a speciality of the Tiki Bar at Rochelle Beach in New France Prefecture on Panjandrum. (The Lighthouse at the End of the World)
Grimace: The name of King Ramunus' sword. (The Hiss) According to legend, the sword would defend the King even if he dropped it.
HD: A high-definition vocophone. HD vocophones are capable of projecting life-size and life-like images. (Alien Abduction)
Heal-All: A topical medication which promotes the healing of injuries such as bruises, wounds, broken bones, etc. (The Tartian Egg, A Last Farewell)
High Plane, The: A dimension of the universe where information can be stored and retrieved.
High Plane Database, The: A specific collection of information stored in the High Plane.
Hologram, holograming, hologramed (verb): "To hologram" (as in, "Tom is holograming me this afternoon.") means to use a vocophone to send a holographic image of one person or thing to another. If the projected hologram is large enough, the effect can be almost like having the other person present. Because "to hologram" is a verbal formed from the noun, hologram, holograming and hologramed are spelled correctly with a single m. (Alien Abduction)
Holographic Quantum Dot (HQD) Programmer: The electronic device which operates on a Default Cube to convert it into the desired product. (An Interview With Gina Verucchio)
Holographic quantum dot replacement organs: Products based on holographic quantum dot technology were developed by Dr. Gina Verucchio at Claudius Electronics, an electronics product and component manufacturer and retailer based in Roma, capitol of Italy prefecture on the planet Panjandrum.
One of the later advances in HQD technology was the ability to produce products that were indistinguishable from the real thing (except to special scanners.) Holographic quantum dot devices were programmed to not only know about the other atoms and molecules in an object, but what and where others should be in the object.
These were initially used for rapid prototyping and for temporary replacements of things like vehicle parts or construction materials. As scanning equipment improved, living things could be scanned and programs developed for the creation of living tissue. Initially, Gina Verucchio and her researchers at Claudius Electronics assumed that they would be able to create artificial, HQD, organisms. This was correct, at least for life forms like plants and invertebrates with simple nervous systems.
The nervous systems of many life forms were too complex for the scanners of the day to recreate, so HQD dogs, cats or other pets were not practical. But scanner technology, like all technology, was constantly improving and the creation of such creatures--including intelligent life forms--would eventually be possible.
Although one being deliberately creates another every time a human or Taupoian is born or a Waxonian is hatched, many questioned the morality of the deliberate creation of an HQD "person." Who owned him? Who paid for the power to keep her alive? Was it right to turn off his power? Before the technology to actually do such a thing became available, regulations were put in place across the Stellar Economic Community to ban any such activity.
However, other animal tissues and organs could be programmed. As a result, replacement organs became possible.
HQD replacement organs did not take the place of organs grown from an individual's own tissues. They could have, but HQD organs require a constant input of electrical energy. The inclusion of subspace power delivery made this easy, eliminating the need to recharge batteries, but it still required a regular payment as part of your monthly power bill.
Individuals can be victims of life-threatening accidents or diseases and time is often of the essence. Once, the only option for such individuals was to be kept on life-support while replacement organ(s) were grown from their healthy tissue--an expensive option. The development of HQD replacement organs changed this.
Insurance companies were glad to pay the small fee for a complete body scan. These data could then be kept on hand in case a serious accident or a disease required the replacement of some body organ or organ system, be it a heart or an arm. A hospital could immediately use the data to program the required tissue. The individual could then go on with her normal life while waiting for a replacement organ to be grown from her own tissue.
The ability to create living tissues from holographic quantum dots was a step in the direction of HQD Suits and plastidroids.
Holographic quantum dot suit: A robotic suit in the form of some specific life form. The suit interfaces with the wearer's nervous system so that he/she can control it, giving the illusion that the wearer is the other organism. For instance, Carson wears a holographic quantum dot suit which makes her seem to be a male human in Split Personality.
The suit's holographic quantum dot technology (see below) allows the wearer to be stronger and move more quickly and deftly than normal while still seeming to be the organism.
Holographic quantum dot technology: PLEASE NOTE: The following is a brief description of this technology. For a more detailed discussion, please click here.
Holographic quantum dot technology (Claudius Electronics began marketing products in 2400) allows the simulation of any molecular, atomic or subatomic structure. Once morphed into the new structure it appears indistinguishable from the real thing. Because it is "holographic," small pieces can even be removed and they will retain their morphed identity--a plastidroid emulating a human could be shaved and the removed hair would still appear to be hair. This technology is the basis of robotic suits and plastidroids. A device made via holographic quantum dot technology can be told (audio, video, digital input) to become a specific thing (living or otherwise) and it does. Quantum dot devices can be turned on or rebooted via an electromagnetic signal or a reset button (although the location of this button may not be obvious.) The holographic quantum dot device has as range of mass of about two orders of magnitude. For instance, a default device with a mass of 5 pounds can transform into things in a 0.5 to 50 pound range. Although ordinary scanners could not detect the objects to be distinguished from the real thing, scanners that can detect quantum phenomenon and subspace disturbances could.
"Hacking Matter," by Wil McCarthy (Basic Books, © 2003) has a good introduction to the phenomenon of quantum dots.
Holowall: Walls created in a spacecraft by the ship's computer from holographic quantum dot cubes. The walls function like the ship's fixed walls but only while powered by the ship. (Raptors of the Depths)
Hot Air Dirigible: A sort of hot air balloon which can be powered and steered. For an image, click here. (Pushing the Envelope)
Hot Plate, Magnetic: A magnetic hot plate operates like a traditional hot plate, but is heated by the rapid oscillation of magnetic poles in the surface of the heating element. (The Tartian Egg)
International Data Service: An online database established and maintained by Mumian police forces. (Umbo Job Mum)
Page updated: 04 January 2022
Page created: 19 January 2012
